Welcome to the National Board Certification Process—a challenging and rewarding opportunity for professional development! Here you will find the information you need to assist you as you work to achieve National Board Certification.

Create a new account or log-in with your existing account if you are a returning user.

*Registering as a candidate for the National Board process does not automatically register you for any support options. Any additional support requires separate registration through the sponsoring organization.

What is the registration timeline?

Registration Window

March 1,
2014 – February 28, 2015

Fee Payment Deadline

February 28, 2015

Change of Certificate and/or Specialty Area

March 31, 2015

Change of Component Selection

March 31, 2015

ePortfolio Submission Window

April 1 – May
20, 2015

Withdrawal Deadline

March 31, 2015

Component 1: Content Knowledge Testing Window

March 26 – June 15, 2015

When will all components be available for candidates?

2014-15*

2015-16

2016-17

C1: Content Knowledge**

C1: Content Knowledge

C1: Content Knowledge

C2: Differentiation in Instruction

C2: Differentiation in Instruction

C2: Differentiation in Instruction

C3: Teaching Practice and Learning Environment

C3: Teaching Practice and Learning Environment

C4: Reflective and Effective Practitioner

*Due to the ongoing revision of the Career and Technical Education (CTE), candidates for the CTE certificate will begin the new process in 2015-16.
**The World Language (WL) Content Knowledge will be delayed until 2015-16 but Differentiation in Instruction will be available in 2014-15.

Once all four components are available, will candidates be able to submit all four components in one year?
Yes, once all components are available a candidate can choose to submit anywhere from one to four components in a given year. All four components must be initially submitted within the first three years of candidacy.

What are the eligibility requirements for completing the National Board process?
To be eligible for the National Board Certification process, a candidate must:

Hold a Bachelor’s Degree*;

Have completed three full years of teaching or school counseling; and

Possess a valid state teaching or school counseling license.

*CTE teachers are not required to hold a Bachelor’s Degree unless it is required for their state’s licensure.

When are scores announced?
Per the NBPTS Guide to Certification, scores will be reported no later than December 31st of any year. For example, scores for 2014-15 candidates will be reported by December 31, 2015. When scores are reported, candidates will receive a score for each component attempted, as well as information to assist a candidate in making decisions on whether or not to retake any components.

How is the retake process structured?
The retake process is similar to the past structure; candidates will have two consecutive years to attempt retakes per component.

Retake candidates who submitted under the ‘old’ assessment process during the will continue their candidacy under the ‘old’ assessment process.

Is there funding assistance for the National Board process?

Washington State offers a conditional loan to cover $1,425 of the $1,900 assessment fee.

Through corporate and foundation partners, NBPTS is periodically able to offer scholarships. Scholarship eligibility guidelines are set by the funding organization. More information can be found on the NBPTS website.

The NEA offers loans to members pursuing National Board Certification, as part of benefits to NEA members. Learn more at NEA Member Benefits.

What support options are available for candidates pursuing National Board certification?
All WA state candidates have access to support from OSPI approved cohorts throughout the state. View the list of approved cohorts.

WEA offers an intensive seminar called JumpStart, geared for teachers pursuing National Board certification. Learn more on the WEA website.

*Please note that any conditional loan recipients are required to register with an OSPI approved cohort per component and complete a Foundations course. (WEA JumpStart meets the requirements for the Foundations course).
*Registering for any support options does not automatically register you as a candidate directly with the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Does OSPI offer clock hours for both completion and certification of the National Board certification process? If so, how many hours will be awarded?
Yes, OSPI offers clock hours to candidates for both completion and certification; 45 clock hours for certification and 45 clock hours for completion.

Candidates may be eligible for additional clock hours for attending cohort meetings or WEA JumpStart events. Any additional clock hours come from the sponsoring organization and not from OSPI.

Is National Board an option for teachers needing Professional Certification?
Professional Certification is required for any Residency Certificate holder. WA State does honor a certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and Professional Certification is granted upon National Board certification. More information is available on the OSPI Certification website.

How does the revised assessment affect teachers with an expiring Residency teaching certificate?
The Professional Educator Standards Board voted in March 2014 to align their requirements for receiving a renewal of a Residency Certification for National Board with that of ProTeach. Residency Certificate holders are now able to submit an affidavit of intent to register for ProTeach or National Board in order to receive their 1st renewal. For more information.

Is it possible to add an endorsement to my WA state teaching certificate via the National Board process?
Yes, educators may add endorsements to their WA certificate via the National Board process. The subject area or grade level indicated on a National Board certificate must be comparable to one of the Washington endorsement areas. More information is available on the OSPI certification website.